1
as in shrill
marked by or producing a harsh combination of sounds
discordant tones coming from the poorly tuned instrument
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in noisy
making loud, confused, and usually unharmonious sounds
the discordant cries of gulls fighting over the fishing boat's castoffs
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in aggressive
feeling or displaying eagerness to fight
a troubled, discordant family that would benefit from professional counseling
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in conflicting
not being in agreement or harmony
his views on the proper role of diet in maintaining good health are certainly discordant with most contemporary opinions on the subject
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of discordant
Here and in the Rachmaninov, those sections’ pianos sounded more discordant than delicate.
—
Hannah Edgar, Chicago Tribune, 4 Apr. 2025
The American legal system is predicated on the advocacy of opposing or discordant views and arguments.
—Michael McAuliffe, Sun Sentinel, 3 Apr. 2025
That’s intentional, Jimenez explained in a TikTok about an earlier, similarly discordant cover.
—Julio Ojeda-Zapata, Twin Cities, 29 Mar. 2025
If the past 50 years of scores were all about boundless emotionality, these newer scores are pulsing and discordant — closer to Steve Reich or Karlheinz Stockhausen than European Romantic composers like Beethoven or first-generation Americans like Leonard Bernstein.
—Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 27 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for discordant
Hannah Edgar, Chicago Tribune, 4 Apr. 2025
The American legal system is predicated on the advocacy of opposing or discordant views and arguments.
—Michael McAuliffe, Sun Sentinel, 3 Apr. 2025
That’s intentional, Jimenez explained in a TikTok about an earlier, similarly discordant cover.
—Julio Ojeda-Zapata, Twin Cities, 29 Mar. 2025
If the past 50 years of scores were all about boundless emotionality, these newer scores are pulsing and discordant — closer to Steve Reich or Karlheinz Stockhausen than European Romantic composers like Beethoven or first-generation Americans like Leonard Bernstein.
—Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 27 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for discordant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for discordant
Adjective
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Their bathroom floor also pooled with water after showering, and noise from other apartments, like the shrill beeps of a low-battery smoke detector next door, carried through the paper-thin walls.—
Matthew Sedacca,
Curbed,
22 Apr. 2025
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As such, The Studio is shrill and talky, its chaotic scenes sparked by random performers like Charlize Theron, Zac Efron, Olivia Wilde and Sarah Polley, all of whom want something from Remick.—
Peter Bart,
Deadline,
10 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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While the noisy cicadas are harmless to people and don’t sting or bite, periodical cicadas can be concentrated and very numerous in some spots.—
Rick Sobey,
Boston Herald,
10 May 2025
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The Frigidaire delivers in many categories, but the shelf adjustments are limited, the fridge was noisier than average, and the temperature was inconsistent, leading to frozen items in the refrigerated section.—
Alice Knisley Matthias,
Better Homes & Gardens,
6 May 2025
Adjective
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However, thanks to aggressive conservation efforts, including predator control programs, habitat restoration, and breeding initiatives, several kiwi species have seen rebounds.—
Scott Travers,
Forbes.com,
11 May 2025
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Even so, the aggressive play in this post-season has stood out.—
Louisa Thomas,
New Yorker,
11 May 2025
Adjective
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Trademark Search And Watch Services These tools monitor official trademark registries and databases globally to detect similar or conflicting marks early: Corsearch—Offers global trademark screening and searching, providing alerts for new filings or similar marks.—
Cheryl Robinson,
Forbes.com,
4 May 2025
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Those lawsuits have led to conflicting rulings in different states.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
3 May 2025
Adjective
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The creatively dissonant effort drove a nearly 10% month-over-month increase in store brand sales and a 12% increase across the category; expanded 7-Eleven’s in-house creative agency, producing campaigns faster and cheaper, all while also reducing plastic bag usage by 37%.—
Seth Matlins,
Forbes.com,
14 Apr. 2025
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The book cover, showing a happy couple on a beach accompanied by a dog with a stick in its mouth, seems cheerily dissonant.—
Julio Ojeda-Zapata,
Twin Cities,
29 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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The Houthis have not claimed responsibility for the latest missile, but a spokesman for the militant group has said previous launches targeted military facilities in Israel.—
Tamar Michaelis,
CNN Money,
4 May 2025
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India may also take the stronger step of striking militant groups in Pakistan to satisfy the public’s demand for action.—
Michael Kugelman,
Time,
3 May 2025
Adjective
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Brown had an inconsistent season after missing almost the entire previous campaign with a knee injury and was scratched in favor of Dylan Holloway.—
Daniel Nugent-Bowman,
New York Times,
2 May 2025
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But his hands are inconsistent after recording the most drops (10) of any receiver in the nation last season.—
Antwan Staley,
New York Daily News,
2 May 2025
Adjective
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Setting Discordant Personal Goals A 2023 study published in Current Psychology finds that partners’ inharmonious goals can have detrimental effects on relationships.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes,
29 Mar. 2024
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For sixteen hours a week, Valentine hopes to share some melody in a place that, for some, can feel inharmonious.—
Washington Post,
Washington Post,
24 July 2021
Cite this Entry
“Discordant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/discordant. Accessed 17 May. 2025.
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